On Monday, Southern California faced urgent evacuation orders as the Sandy Fire rapidly spread in the hills above Simi Valley, approximately 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The fire was reported at around 10 a.m. and has already consumed over 500 acres (about 200 hectares) of dry brush, damaging at least one home. Wind gusts exceeding 30 mph (48 kph) initially fueled the flames, although these winds began to subside later in the day, according to Scott Dettorre, a spokesperson for the Ventura County Fire Department. Evacuations affected several neighborhoods in Simi Valley, a city with more than 125,000 residents, which was enveloped in smoke as helicopters conducted water drops to combat the blaze. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum was closed for the day due to the fire's proximity. Meanwhile, firefighters were also tackling a 15-square-mile (39-square-km) fire on Santa Rosa Island, which has resulted in the destruction of a cabin and an equipment shed, necessitating the evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees. The causes of both fires remain under investigation.